I can’t complain, really, because my weekend was pretty great. I did a whole lotta nothin’ – which was exactly what the doctor (not really) ordered.

On Friday, I forced myself to make it to Body Pump after work. Did I mention that it was Friday? After work?

I was slightly annoyed because the instructor had on a full face of make-up and left her (really long) hair down. Did I miss out on the Prom Edition of Body Pump memo?

It was a struggle to get past the make up, but it helped when she congratulated everyone for coming on Friday after work. Nice, I thought, she knows this is an accomplishment.

But then I harshly judged her again after she went on to say, Is anyone going to happy hour after this?

YOU KNOW IT. I thought to myself.

Not me, she says. THIS is my happy hour.

Oh, vomit.

I was able to shake the Beauty Queen of Body Pump on Saturday morning at Body Flow. Per the usual, I was the first one there.

A few people (via Instagram) were concerned about the fact that I was looking pretty emo just sitting in the dark. Fear not. The instructors at my gym always hold yoga and Flow in a dimly lit room. I really enjoy it.

Maybe that is pretty emo of me.

When I got home, Cory made us breakfast. He loves cooking breakfast, which is perfect because I love eating breakfast.

Later in the day, Emily and Jamie came over to lounge and do nothing. It was pretty fantastic. And now, with a recharged battery, I’m off to conquer this week.

Last night we hosted a “get together” and rung in the New Year with our closest friends.

It was a fun, low key night filled with Cards Against Humanity, tons of food, and drinking games I hadn’t played since college.

There was also a little peer pressure that happened, but I won’t point any fingers at Erin Grace, Amanda, and Whitney.

So in a round about way, Cory and I put ourselves in prime position to start working on our 2013 goal: Slowing down. That’s right, I have been watching Saved by the Bell and Boy Meets World for five hours.

After college, the depressing realization sets in that Real Life is void of weekly “sober sisters” to cart your drunk ass around, so friends rarely want to bother with figuring out driving. Let’s just get drunk at someone’s place and fall where we may.

And most importantly, I’ve realized that everyone else in their early-to-mid-20s is still figuring things out. No one has all of their shit together, and it’s just nice to be around people with whom you don’t have to pretend otherwise.

I’m glad you’re here, New Year’s Eve! I’m ready for ya!

Let’s chat – What are your plans tonight?Staying in, or going out?We’re hosting a “get together” tonight! I can’t wait to spend time with my great friends!

We live in a society where the most popular New Year’s Resolution is weight loss. Many people are so concerned with what they put on their plates, that other important things tend to fall by the wayside.

But speaking of keeping your plates healthy, I wanted to focus on a different kind of plate: your Life Plate.

I think of Life as a huge buffet busting at the seams with wonderful people, places, opportunities, and choices.

And like at you’re favorite Chinese lunch buffet, you have a choice as to what you put on your Life Plate.

You can choose to fill your plate with things that make you immediately happy, but end up leaving you feeling empty and tired.

You can lose all willpower and fill your plate with facades and lose sight of who you really are.

You can also choose to fill your plate with shoulds (things you think you should do, be, say, etc.) that ultimately end up making you feel anxious and overwhelmed.

Or, you could think of your Life Plate as a balanced, healthy plate filled with people and things that fuel you and make you feel your best. (Always remembering to save room for dessert )

As 2012 comes to a close, I encourage you to take a look at your Life Plate. Is it full of junk, or is it full of things you need?

Like a huge serving of faith (whatever that looks like to you), a heaping helping of family and meaningful relationships, all heavily seasoned with compassion (for yourself and others), genuine relaxation, and FUN.

Think about it.

Let’s chat – What’s currently filling up your Life Plate? What could be dumped into the garbage disposal, and what could be added?

Friday was the big moving day, and despite my everything-that-can-go-wrong nightmares the night before, it was an extremely smooth process.

My mom came over to see us off, and we were met with the open arms of Cory’s family, Emily, and Jamie. It was an emotional day for me, because leaving my mom was terribly sad, so it’s been beyond comforting to come to a place with familiar faces.

On Friday, Cory’s mom made us a delicious dinner, and we all sat around and relaxed for a bit. I was too tired to admit that Cory and I had lots of work to do

Truth be told – we have been on such a roll with unpacking. When we moved in together in July, it took us 4 months to unpack – and this time we’re almost finished after 2 days.

I love this area and I love being so close to Emily and Jamie. It was so neat to have an impromptu dinner date with Emily last night! I was also so proud of myself for navigating my way to her place and back home without getting lost!

I’ll have more detailed posts to come, but for now, I’m simply getting used to the place. But from where I’m sitting (aka: our living room), things are looking pretty great

Let’s chat – How many times have you moved? I’m not counting college, so I’ve moved twice. In less than a year!

I won’t get into unflattering details, but the fact that it’s been raining for what seem like the last ten years is the icing on my funky cake.

I left work yesterday and it was pouring. You know when rain resembles a monsoon and there’s that terribly awkward moment of desperation in which you attempt to get in your car, close your umbrella and stay dry all at the same time?

That was my life yesterday. Not even my under garments stood a chance.

And they motivate me! Today I was g-chatting with my friend Ashley and we were both half-complaining that we didn’t want to work out this afternoon.

I was tired. She had been having a rough day. But we both got off around the same time and I said “I’ll work out if you work out.” And that was it. Even though she’s in Philly and I’m in Fairfax, it was all I needed to get my butt into gear.

When I got home, I thought about not working out. I thought about having a bowl of cereal instead, even though I wasn’t hungry. I even said out loud to no one but myself “I just don’t feel like it.”

Let’s be serious, the fact that I was complaining out loud to myself was alarming. I knew Ashley was going to go to the gym, but I would have felt like such an ass if I told her I just didn’t feel like it.

And no one enjoys feeling like a jackass

So I popped in P90X and managed a sweaty workout. I feel better than I did when I got home this afternoon. I felt sluggish and bored after work. Now I don’t! I’m so thankful I had Ashley to motivate me

Now it’s time for dinner! Catch you all tomorrow!

Let’s chat –

Who motivates you?

Do you like to workout with a friend or by yourself?I’d much rather workout by myself any day!